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Slip
9 minutes and 53 seconds isn’t enough time to change the world. It’s not even enough time to finish a biology exam.
But 16-year-old junior, PJ “Slip” Ellis, gets to repeat the most anxiety-inducing parts of her life again and again. Because her panic attacks send her 9 minutes and 53 seconds into the past, which means she’ll do whatever she can to avoid triggering her nerves. And she’s learned to deal with her anxiety…mostly.
At least, until Ethan Morrow appears in class. Now, PJ is falling for Ethan, and her anxiety—once under control—is quickly spiraling out of hand. So, PJ’s determined to avoid Ethan with every slip.
If only the solution were so easy. Ethan appears in PJ’s life no matter what path she takes, no matter how many times she slips. Is it fate? Kismet? Organized chaos? One way or another, PJ must make peace with herself if she ever wants a shot at true happiness with—or without—Ethan Morrow in her life.
"Storms' novel deftly balances magical realism with a sensitively observed portrait of a teenage girl struggling with debilitating panic attacks. A thoughtful and satisfying blend of magical realism and romance." - Kirkus Reviews
"SLIP is sure to please YA readers with its compassionate exploration of mental health, first love, and supportive relationships. Its magical realism, seamless prose, and lovable characters elevate it from endearing to memorable and evocative." - IndieReader
But 16-year-old junior, PJ “Slip” Ellis, gets to repeat the most anxiety-inducing parts of her life again and again. Because her panic attacks send her 9 minutes and 53 seconds into the past, which means she’ll do whatever she can to avoid triggering her nerves. And she’s learned to deal with her anxiety…mostly.
At least, until Ethan Morrow appears in class. Now, PJ is falling for Ethan, and her anxiety—once under control—is quickly spiraling out of hand. So, PJ’s determined to avoid Ethan with every slip.
If only the solution were so easy. Ethan appears in PJ’s life no matter what path she takes, no matter how many times she slips. Is it fate? Kismet? Organized chaos? One way or another, PJ must make peace with herself if she ever wants a shot at true happiness with—or without—Ethan Morrow in her life.
"Storms' novel deftly balances magical realism with a sensitively observed portrait of a teenage girl struggling with debilitating panic attacks. A thoughtful and satisfying blend of magical realism and romance." - Kirkus Reviews
"SLIP is sure to please YA readers with its compassionate exploration of mental health, first love, and supportive relationships. Its magical realism, seamless prose, and lovable characters elevate it from endearing to memorable and evocative." - IndieReader
- GenresYoung Adult
276 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2025
83 people want to read
About the author
L. Ryan Storms
6 books56 followersL. Ryan Storms is an award-winning Young Adult Fantasy author who loves to read and write strong female protagonists with a "Fine. I'll do it myself!” mindset.
Storms lives in Pennsylvania with her cancer-survivor husband, two children, and a “rescue zoo” of ever-changing furry and feathered friends. When she’s not reading, writing, or keeping her kids in line, Storms can be found rescuing the latest neighborhood strays or snuggling her pet chickens in the suburbs.
Storms lives in Pennsylvania with her cancer-survivor husband, two children, and a “rescue zoo” of ever-changing furry and feathered friends. When she’s not reading, writing, or keeping her kids in line, Storms can be found rescuing the latest neighborhood strays or snuggling her pet chickens in the suburbs.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 11, 2025
In a Nutshell: A YA Romance with elements of magical realism. Well-written and loveable characters (I hope you realise what a miracle this compliment is, coming from me for a YA novel), fast pace, good plot, sweet romance without getting too mushy or cringey. I took it for the magical realism, but I ended up liking all of it. Much recommended.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
In all honesty, I can’t remember the last time I showered all stars on a YA novel. As I have repeated umpteen times, I am not of YA age and I am not a YA novel fan. To get me to read a YA novel, it must hold something beyond the typical. Reading the above synopsis would have already told you why I grabbed this. The time slip + stress attacks combo intrigued me tremendously. And thankfully, this novel more than lives up to the promise. I am delighted at how this turned out.
Bookish Yays:
🎉 PJ – excellent main character, not at all whiny. (I have to mention this because almost all YA leads seem whiny to middle-aged me!) I love how realistically PJ is portrayed despite her unreal circumstances.
🎉 Mariana – PJ’s bestie, who sets unrealistically high goals on how best friends should be.
🎉 Ethan – Such perfect book boyfriend material! (Of course, I’m old enough to be his mom, so I claim him for my teenage daughter. If ever she gets such a guy home, I tell you, I’ll start hearing wedding bells in my head! 😂)
🎉 The restricted number of characters. The plot sticks to the essential few characters, and the rest come only when they are needed. The only other character with a substantial speaking role is PJ’s mom, who does a great job reminding us that good adults can exist in YA fiction (even if they embarrass the heck out of their kids.) I wish there had been more scenes with her.
🎉 The romance. No lust, not insta, charts a genuine path from acquaintance to friendship to attraction. I don’t know if older YA readers prefer steamy love stories, but to my heart, this was perfect for the age group. Nothing beyond kisses.
🎉 The age-appropriate character detailing. Loved how the three teens speak and behave like actual youngsters. (The sensible ones, I mean. Not the whiny, entitled ones.) Moreover, their portrayal isn't all about ‘I, Me, Myself’ like YA novels often are. The trio set a good example of teen behaviour standards.
🎉 The text exchanges across PJ, Mariana, and Ethan are formatted as actual phone screenshots, making them look like actual messages. (This was a bit troublesome on the Kindle as I had to keep clicking on every image to expand it, but the messages themselves were so cute that I forgive the inconvenience.)
🎉 The true-to-life depiction of anxiety and panic. Gosh! A couple of the scenes had me panicking right along with PJ. So well-written!
🎉 Some minor themes – racial discrimination, divorce, single parenthood,… – are also present in the book, but none overwhelm the main plot, and none feel like extraneous clutter. And with none of the overdone YA tropes– no school bully or bullying, no appearance-shaming, no crabby teachers, no aggravating parents,…
🎉 One such theme that earns a special Yay from me – the calling out of AI reliance for homework.
🎉 The time slip. This must be the tiniest time slip I have ever read in fiction. The story shows in various ways what a difference even ten minutes can make. I also love how the writing doesn’t try to explain the time slip or justify it in any way. It’s there, so it’s there!
🎉 Despite the magical bits, the story seems very real and relatable. No scene except for the time slips seems over the top. The best part is the emotions of the characters. Though you might not agree with PJ’s decisions every time, you can still see her point of view.
🎉 The fast pace without compromising on description. The writing has a very conversational vibe, where PJ even seems to break the fourth wall a couple of times to address us.
🎉 PJ’s passion for running is written brilliantly. I love it when a plot assigns a hobby to a character and uses it consistently throughout the book instead of forgetting about it after a couple of scenes.
🎉 The epilogue – perfect! Seriously, it was the most grounded epilogue I have read, even beyond YA fiction.
🎉 The author’s note – explains so much! Take a virtual hug from me, dear author. You are awesome!
Bookish Nays:
I’d only be nitpicking if I add any point to this section. While there were a couple of minor things that could have gone better for me, those were strictly from an adult-reader perspective. I am sure I wouldn’t even have noticed them in my YA years. So let’s just leave it at: Zero Nays.
I never even thought I would read a YA romance at this age, forget about enjoying it and recommending it. Perhaps it helps that the author isn't a YA. (She has teens the same age as mine.) Most of my favourite YA books have been written by authors closer to me in age. I guess I subconsciously enjoy these better because they approach YA characters and adult characters with equal respect, as against YA authors who feel like they should do justice only to their teen characters.
Though a romance at heart, this book also deals with sensitive mental health issues. One scene in particular is a bit upsetting. So perhaps this would be suited to older YA readers, say 15+.
Much recommended to young adults looking for a sweet, clean romance with some magical moments, whether romantic or fantastical.
4.5 stars, more than delighted to round up.
My thanks to author L. Ryan Storms for providing me with a complimentary copy of “Slip”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Threads || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Sixteen-year-old Penelope Jane, known to everyone as PJ, hates that she has to relive the most anxiety-inducing parts of her life. This is because she tends to slip nine minutes and fifty-three seconds into her past every time her panic level shoots up. As she suffers from anxiety disorder, she tries to keep a curb on her stress, but sometimes, she still ‘slips’…
The only person to know about this strange affliction is PJ’s bestie Mariana, who does all she can to support PJ. But when a new classmate Ethan Morrow enters PJ’s life, even Mariana cannot help her anxiety levels from spiralling out of control. Can she even dream of dating when she can’t even know for sure how many times she’ll slip back in time?
The story comes to us in PJ’s first-person perspective.
In all honesty, I can’t remember the last time I showered all stars on a YA novel. As I have repeated umpteen times, I am not of YA age and I am not a YA novel fan. To get me to read a YA novel, it must hold something beyond the typical. Reading the above synopsis would have already told you why I grabbed this. The time slip + stress attacks combo intrigued me tremendously. And thankfully, this novel more than lives up to the promise. I am delighted at how this turned out.
Bookish Yays:
🎉 PJ – excellent main character, not at all whiny. (I have to mention this because almost all YA leads seem whiny to middle-aged me!) I love how realistically PJ is portrayed despite her unreal circumstances.
🎉 Mariana – PJ’s bestie, who sets unrealistically high goals on how best friends should be.
🎉 Ethan – Such perfect book boyfriend material! (Of course, I’m old enough to be his mom, so I claim him for my teenage daughter. If ever she gets such a guy home, I tell you, I’ll start hearing wedding bells in my head! 😂)
🎉 The restricted number of characters. The plot sticks to the essential few characters, and the rest come only when they are needed. The only other character with a substantial speaking role is PJ’s mom, who does a great job reminding us that good adults can exist in YA fiction (even if they embarrass the heck out of their kids.) I wish there had been more scenes with her.
🎉 The romance. No lust, not insta, charts a genuine path from acquaintance to friendship to attraction. I don’t know if older YA readers prefer steamy love stories, but to my heart, this was perfect for the age group. Nothing beyond kisses.
🎉 The age-appropriate character detailing. Loved how the three teens speak and behave like actual youngsters. (The sensible ones, I mean. Not the whiny, entitled ones.) Moreover, their portrayal isn't all about ‘I, Me, Myself’ like YA novels often are. The trio set a good example of teen behaviour standards.
🎉 The text exchanges across PJ, Mariana, and Ethan are formatted as actual phone screenshots, making them look like actual messages. (This was a bit troublesome on the Kindle as I had to keep clicking on every image to expand it, but the messages themselves were so cute that I forgive the inconvenience.)
🎉 The true-to-life depiction of anxiety and panic. Gosh! A couple of the scenes had me panicking right along with PJ. So well-written!
🎉 Some minor themes – racial discrimination, divorce, single parenthood,… – are also present in the book, but none overwhelm the main plot, and none feel like extraneous clutter. And with none of the overdone YA tropes– no school bully or bullying, no appearance-shaming, no crabby teachers, no aggravating parents,…
🎉 One such theme that earns a special Yay from me – the calling out of AI reliance for homework.
🎉 The time slip. This must be the tiniest time slip I have ever read in fiction. The story shows in various ways what a difference even ten minutes can make. I also love how the writing doesn’t try to explain the time slip or justify it in any way. It’s there, so it’s there!
🎉 Despite the magical bits, the story seems very real and relatable. No scene except for the time slips seems over the top. The best part is the emotions of the characters. Though you might not agree with PJ’s decisions every time, you can still see her point of view.
🎉 The fast pace without compromising on description. The writing has a very conversational vibe, where PJ even seems to break the fourth wall a couple of times to address us.
🎉 PJ’s passion for running is written brilliantly. I love it when a plot assigns a hobby to a character and uses it consistently throughout the book instead of forgetting about it after a couple of scenes.
🎉 The epilogue – perfect! Seriously, it was the most grounded epilogue I have read, even beyond YA fiction.
🎉 The author’s note – explains so much! Take a virtual hug from me, dear author. You are awesome!
Bookish Nays:
I’d only be nitpicking if I add any point to this section. While there were a couple of minor things that could have gone better for me, those were strictly from an adult-reader perspective. I am sure I wouldn’t even have noticed them in my YA years. So let’s just leave it at: Zero Nays.
I never even thought I would read a YA romance at this age, forget about enjoying it and recommending it. Perhaps it helps that the author isn't a YA. (She has teens the same age as mine.) Most of my favourite YA books have been written by authors closer to me in age. I guess I subconsciously enjoy these better because they approach YA characters and adult characters with equal respect, as against YA authors who feel like they should do justice only to their teen characters.
Though a romance at heart, this book also deals with sensitive mental health issues. One scene in particular is a bit upsetting. So perhaps this would be suited to older YA readers, say 15+.
Much recommended to young adults looking for a sweet, clean romance with some magical moments, whether romantic or fantastical.
4.5 stars, more than delighted to round up.
My thanks to author L. Ryan Storms for providing me with a complimentary copy of “Slip”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Threads || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
April 17, 2025
This clean young adult contemporary romance uniquely blends mystery and magical realism to tell the story of a girl navigating extreme anxiety-inducing situations and a boy determined to support her throughout.
Storms’ brilliance of intrigue, thought-provoking narrative and realistic tones make this a touching tale that is absolutely worth a read!
[ Contains some spoilers ]
PLOT SUMMARY
If we all could go back in time 9 minutes and 53 seconds – to change the timeline of events, to take back something we said, to save a life – would we? For 16-year-old Penelope Jane “PJ” Ellis, she has no choice. Any time anything anxiety-inducing happens, she is thrust back nearly 10 minutes to experience it again and avoid triggering herself again. And this is where she gets her nickname “Slip” from, as she slips back in time.
The worst part? Nobody really knows about her ability, except for her best friend Mariana Salvadore. Her busy mother doesn’t believe her which forces her to spiral into the past and never bring it up again. Most of the time with her own means of managing it (meditation and running) and with the help of Mariana, PJ can cope just fine. Until, of course, the return of Ethan Thomas Morrow (because T. Morrow, get it? Tomorrow? Brilliant haha), a boy she knew from elementary school who moved to California.
Handsome, charming and considerate, Ethan begins to take an interest in PJ and she likes him. But she is worried about how things would work out between them. What if she experiences her first kiss twice? What if she says horrible things to him and he doesn’t know because she unsays it or vice-versa? Deeming herself undatable with her messy situation, she tries to avoid him.
But it doesn’t matter if PJ changes her route home, or waits 20 minutes so she doesn’t bump into him, Ethan still encounters her. A string of circumstances occur, thrusting them into each other’s paths more often than she’d like. And with it is the eerie realisation that there is more to Ethan than meets the eye, because he remembers some of the conversations they have that he shouldn’t be able to – because they were said in another timeline!
OVERALL OPINIONS
If it takes 9 minutes and 53 seconds for PJ to slip back in time, that’s how long at the most it took for me to fall completely in love with this tale! Truth be told, YA can be a hit or miss for me but this one was a surprising gem. I cannot express enough how stunning this story is! I was hooked so early on, I was dying to read more, I was so compelled by the mystery of Ethan. This is wonderful and I will be thinking about this for a long time. It reminds me of the film About Time but for YA.
This started strong, with an excellent opening that instantly tells the reader (if they hadn’t sussed it out already) this is about time-travelling. I really liked the way PJ directly talks to us at the start: “Reader, I have no idea how old I am.” which instantly made me think of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre “Reader, I married him.” – but both of them are incredibly dissimilar. Other than the obvious difference in genres and intended audience, Penelope Jane speaks with profound uncertainty as she faces constant flux whereas Jane declares with resolution as she now has stability in her life. Perhaps, I digress too much.
This book has brought out my very overanalytical side methinks, because it was very thought-provoking from the very first page. Take this example, as PJ mulls over what could go wrong:
Indeed, what works so well with this story is its relatability: the trickiness of high school, the butterflies of first love, the severity of anxiety. I think everyone can relate to the pressures of high school, how important grades can be for your future career. I myself can get quite anxious, not to the extent of the author herself but if I have anxiety I cannot eat for ages and have to distract myself to be able to eat again. Being a perfectionist doesn’t help matters either haha! I like that this is so realistic: that even if you have an ability to change the past, or can run as fast as PJ can, some things will always be inescapable.
Storms’ choice of covering teenagers and their anxiety from a different and fresh angle with the use of an overthinking and accidental time-traveller is marvellous. The scene where PJ gets annoyed at Mariana because she doesn’t know what it’s like will resonate with anyone suffering from mental or chronic health issues. No two people are the same and it’s hard to know what it is like for someone else. The importance of merely being there for someone can make someone’s life all the better for it, as emphasised in this book. We need our crazy but understanding Marianas and supportive Ethans. Find them!
Oh and Ethan! What a sweetheart! This book (and clean YA romances generally) serves a great reminder that spice is not needed for one to feel the chemistry and bond between two characters . The stargazing scene alone was lovely, and every little deed he does or every thing he says throughout the story made me fall for him harder than I think even PJ did. I mean, swoonworthy:
<< Positives >>
🠚 The cover is stunning and symbolic with the split down the middle, PJ going on a run in the centre of the image, the two faces in different directions. It literally shows that she has two different split timelines happening (the current time, then the 9 minutes and 53 seconds before).
🠚 The cog as the paragraph divider every time she slips is ingenious!
🠚 Unique yet relatable. Not just the sense that it doesn’t matter if you try to outrun things, it will always be inevitable but the teenager element too like people will know that kind of discussion with parents about wanting a pet very well.
🠚 Plenty of humour especially with PJ’s friend Mariana (she has great puns), but many heartwarming moments between them too where they both support each other. That is kind of healthy friendship people should look for where the effort is a two-way thing.
🠚 A very sweet relationship between PJ and Ethan. There is plenty of passion. It was funny her doing all these extreme things like throwing the banana in the other timeline so he’ll remember how psycho she is and it’ll put him off but he still likes her despite it all.
🠚 The mystery surrounding Ethan is so enticing, I kept reading to find out more.
<< Negatives >>
🠚 I wanted more details about the time concept. *How* exactly was Mariana able to help PJ calculate that’s how far back into the past she goes?
🠚 I wondered if anything about Marco would come into play later, because it is mentioned he was bitter a few years ago about her rejecting him.
🠚 I did cringe at PJ’s mother’s reaction to the breakup. The last thing you would be talking about is if he was a good kisser.
🠚 When PJ says “Can handwriting sound like a person’s voice? I swear hers does” – I actually wanted to know what kind of handwriting she has (was it swirly like she was in a rush or disjointed or clipped?) as it could tell us more about her before we have even met her.
🠚 I wanted PJ to open up to her mother about her ability.
🠚 The epilogue felt a little short. What did Ethan decide to do after? Did he pursue geology? Or did he decide to do photography?
🠚 The text screenshots could have just been the text bubbles themselves rather than the whole messaging interface, as this takes up some unnecessary space.
CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ PJ꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Her self-awareness is admirable. The origin of her nickname Pidgeon is really cute! I’d love to work in a library too.
I overthink, just like her. I also relate to the fact that lots of girls in my class in school wanted to wear heels at the first opportunity, but I was always one for flats and if I did do heels it would be small block heels.
-ˋˏ ꒰ Ethan꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ “sandy-haired, hazel-eyed, dimple-in-one-cheek” not only that, he’s so lovely as a person. I like the scavenger hunt idea he has at the start in order to ask her out.
His sense of humour is immaculate! I love his overenthusiastic and embellished information for his Planetarium tour, I laughed.
FAV QUOTES
• Ethan is adorable, but I’m not into adorable. I’m not into sun-kissed brown hair or hazel eyes or smiles with dimples because I’m not into anything. I’m into *not* slipping. That’s it. That’s all my life has ever been. A struggle not to slip.
• I’m pretty sure Jenny doesn’t have more than three brain cells, so I hope she’s not thinking too hard. She’ll burn one of them up and only have two to use for the rest of the year.
• The stars are starting to come out, though I can’t see many of them beyond the bright lights of the parking lot. Ethan follows my gaze and then grabs my hand. Touching his hand, holding his hand, makes my breath catch a little.
• I like Ethan more than I care to admit. I don’t want to like him, but there’s something about his smile that hits deep in my chest. I can’t explain it. It’s like when he smiles at me, he’s sharing a part of himself he doesn’t share with anyone else
• He shows up when I don’t think I’m going to have to interact with anyone, when I’ve finally let my guard down. Maybe that’s the real reason I slip with him. He’s so genuine that it’s impossible not to let him through the safety barriers I try to keep in place.
• I’m surprised to find I *want* to hear his problems. Usually, the thought of adding other people’s troubles to my own has me running in terror. But things with Ethan are different.
• I also love that when we’re running, neither of us feels the need to talk. It’s just sunshine, birdsong, and feet on the ground.
• Sometimes, I’m really not sure whether I want to hug or strangle Mariana Salvadore. Maybe both.
• I’ve missed several of the meteors. I’ve never felt like I wanted to experience everything at once, like I’d miss out if I focused too hard on either Ethan or the meteor shower. It’s kind of unfair that the two vie for my attention. Maybe I need to immortalize Ethan in the stars, and then I can watch them both at once.
• And for the first time, maybe ever, I’m struck by the fact that I don’t feel the need to say anything. This is just…perfect as it is.
• What is it about this boy? Why doesn’t he want to let go? Why does he keep showing up again, even when I slip, even when I make a point to avoid him?
• “I know. It’s dumb. That’s why I texted. It’s not phone-call-worthy.” | “It’s always worth talking to you.” There’s a soft honesty in his voice.
• “PJ, you’re the most incredible girl I’ve ever met. You’re funny and athletic and smart and gorgeous inside and out and…and…not a day goes by where I’m not glad to know you, where I’m not happy to have spent even a short time as your lucky boyfriend. Because that time was the best time of my life, the first time where I felt like someone understood me, like someone else got it, you know? You’re that someone. If you’d…succeeded in ending your life, I’d still be wandering around, feeling alone and wondering if anyone in the world was worth connecting with because you are, PJ. A thousand times over, you are worth it.”
• Happy beginnings are a great place to start. They might even be better than happy endings.
══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank L. Ryan Storms for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
How can you have a relationship with someone when you slip every time your blood runs hot? Every kiss? Every argument? What kind of resentment builds when I experience it all, and he never does, when I remember angry words someday exchanged, but he never actually speaks them?
And yet, I don’t break it off. I want this too badly tonight. I want him. I want to be a normal teenager for one godforsaken night.
[ Contains some spoilers ]
PLOT SUMMARY
If we all could go back in time 9 minutes and 53 seconds – to change the timeline of events, to take back something we said, to save a life – would we? For 16-year-old Penelope Jane “PJ” Ellis, she has no choice. Any time anything anxiety-inducing happens, she is thrust back nearly 10 minutes to experience it again and avoid triggering herself again. And this is where she gets her nickname “Slip” from, as she slips back in time.
The worst part? Nobody really knows about her ability, except for her best friend Mariana Salvadore. Her busy mother doesn’t believe her which forces her to spiral into the past and never bring it up again. Most of the time with her own means of managing it (meditation and running) and with the help of Mariana, PJ can cope just fine. Until, of course, the return of Ethan Thomas Morrow (because T. Morrow, get it? Tomorrow? Brilliant haha), a boy she knew from elementary school who moved to California.
Handsome, charming and considerate, Ethan begins to take an interest in PJ and she likes him. But she is worried about how things would work out between them. What if she experiences her first kiss twice? What if she says horrible things to him and he doesn’t know because she unsays it or vice-versa? Deeming herself undatable with her messy situation, she tries to avoid him.
But it doesn’t matter if PJ changes her route home, or waits 20 minutes so she doesn’t bump into him, Ethan still encounters her. A string of circumstances occur, thrusting them into each other’s paths more often than she’d like. And with it is the eerie realisation that there is more to Ethan than meets the eye, because he remembers some of the conversations they have that he shouldn’t be able to – because they were said in another timeline!
I thought I was the only one who could change and make different decisions in my repeat time of nine minutes and fifty-three seconds. Everyone else always seems to be on a set path. It’s always been that way before. So why not now? Why is Ethan different?This is told from the first-person present-tense POV of PJ.
OVERALL OPINIONS
If it takes 9 minutes and 53 seconds for PJ to slip back in time, that’s how long at the most it took for me to fall completely in love with this tale! Truth be told, YA can be a hit or miss for me but this one was a surprising gem. I cannot express enough how stunning this story is! I was hooked so early on, I was dying to read more, I was so compelled by the mystery of Ethan. This is wonderful and I will be thinking about this for a long time. It reminds me of the film About Time but for YA.
This started strong, with an excellent opening that instantly tells the reader (if they hadn’t sussed it out already) this is about time-travelling. I really liked the way PJ directly talks to us at the start: “Reader, I have no idea how old I am.” which instantly made me think of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre “Reader, I married him.” – but both of them are incredibly dissimilar. Other than the obvious difference in genres and intended audience, Penelope Jane speaks with profound uncertainty as she faces constant flux whereas Jane declares with resolution as she now has stability in her life. Perhaps, I digress too much.
This book has brought out my very overanalytical side methinks, because it was very thought-provoking from the very first page. Take this example, as PJ mulls over what could go wrong:
They should let me get my driver’s license a few days early, at the very least. Not that I plan on driving. I mean, I could slip while I’m driving, and then what? What if I “arrive” at my new location while I’m in the middle of making a left turn or something? No thanks. I’ll stick to walking. Or running—I do a lot of that.This is just the kind of thing that we the reader want to know, and she only knows as much as we do.
Indeed, what works so well with this story is its relatability: the trickiness of high school, the butterflies of first love, the severity of anxiety. I think everyone can relate to the pressures of high school, how important grades can be for your future career. I myself can get quite anxious, not to the extent of the author herself but if I have anxiety I cannot eat for ages and have to distract myself to be able to eat again. Being a perfectionist doesn’t help matters either haha! I like that this is so realistic: that even if you have an ability to change the past, or can run as fast as PJ can, some things will always be inescapable.
Storms’ choice of covering teenagers and their anxiety from a different and fresh angle with the use of an overthinking and accidental time-traveller is marvellous. The scene where PJ gets annoyed at Mariana because she doesn’t know what it’s like will resonate with anyone suffering from mental or chronic health issues. No two people are the same and it’s hard to know what it is like for someone else. The importance of merely being there for someone can make someone’s life all the better for it, as emphasised in this book. We need our crazy but understanding Marianas and supportive Ethans. Find them!
Oh and Ethan! What a sweetheart! This book (and clean YA romances generally) serves a great reminder that spice is not needed for one to feel the chemistry and bond between two characters . The stargazing scene alone was lovely, and every little deed he does or every thing he says throughout the story made me fall for him harder than I think even PJ did. I mean, swoonworthy:
“I didn’t think we could have a happy ending.” I hate how raw my voice sounds right now. I pull back from his hug and wipe a tear from my eye. Every time I manage to stop crying, I start again.
“How about we just start with a happy beginning and save the endings for later?”
<< Positives >>
🠚 The cover is stunning and symbolic with the split down the middle, PJ going on a run in the centre of the image, the two faces in different directions. It literally shows that she has two different split timelines happening (the current time, then the 9 minutes and 53 seconds before).
🠚 The cog as the paragraph divider every time she slips is ingenious!
🠚 Unique yet relatable. Not just the sense that it doesn’t matter if you try to outrun things, it will always be inevitable but the teenager element too like people will know that kind of discussion with parents about wanting a pet very well.
🠚 Plenty of humour especially with PJ’s friend Mariana (she has great puns), but many heartwarming moments between them too where they both support each other. That is kind of healthy friendship people should look for where the effort is a two-way thing.
🠚 A very sweet relationship between PJ and Ethan. There is plenty of passion. It was funny her doing all these extreme things like throwing the banana in the other timeline so he’ll remember how psycho she is and it’ll put him off but he still likes her despite it all.
🠚 The mystery surrounding Ethan is so enticing, I kept reading to find out more.
<< Negatives >>
🠚 I wanted more details about the time concept. *How* exactly was Mariana able to help PJ calculate that’s how far back into the past she goes?
🠚 I wondered if anything about Marco would come into play later, because it is mentioned he was bitter a few years ago about her rejecting him.
🠚 I did cringe at PJ’s mother’s reaction to the breakup. The last thing you would be talking about is if he was a good kisser.
🠚 When PJ says “Can handwriting sound like a person’s voice? I swear hers does” – I actually wanted to know what kind of handwriting she has (was it swirly like she was in a rush or disjointed or clipped?) as it could tell us more about her before we have even met her.
🠚 I wanted PJ to open up to her mother about her ability.
🠚 The epilogue felt a little short. What did Ethan decide to do after? Did he pursue geology? Or did he decide to do photography?
🠚 The text screenshots could have just been the text bubbles themselves rather than the whole messaging interface, as this takes up some unnecessary space.
CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ PJ꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Her self-awareness is admirable. The origin of her nickname Pidgeon is really cute! I’d love to work in a library too.
I overthink, just like her. I also relate to the fact that lots of girls in my class in school wanted to wear heels at the first opportunity, but I was always one for flats and if I did do heels it would be small block heels.
There’s nowhere to hide from Ethan this time. And I don’t want to.
-ˋˏ ꒰ Ethan꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ “sandy-haired, hazel-eyed, dimple-in-one-cheek” not only that, he’s so lovely as a person. I like the scavenger hunt idea he has at the start in order to ask her out.
His sense of humour is immaculate! I love his overenthusiastic and embellished information for his Planetarium tour, I laughed.
“you’re the kind of girl who can make a guy completely crazy, wondering if you enjoy being with him or not. You’re thinking. Always thinking. And sometimes I think the thoughts must be good because you get this spark in your eye, like you’ve just figured it out—all of it, all of life. And then, there are these other times when I think the thoughts aren’t good at all because you look like you want to run away as fast as you can. And it makes a guy lose his mind because… sometimes a guy really wants to kiss a girl like you.”
FAV QUOTES
• Ethan is adorable, but I’m not into adorable. I’m not into sun-kissed brown hair or hazel eyes or smiles with dimples because I’m not into anything. I’m into *not* slipping. That’s it. That’s all my life has ever been. A struggle not to slip.
• I’m pretty sure Jenny doesn’t have more than three brain cells, so I hope she’s not thinking too hard. She’ll burn one of them up and only have two to use for the rest of the year.
• The stars are starting to come out, though I can’t see many of them beyond the bright lights of the parking lot. Ethan follows my gaze and then grabs my hand. Touching his hand, holding his hand, makes my breath catch a little.
• I like Ethan more than I care to admit. I don’t want to like him, but there’s something about his smile that hits deep in my chest. I can’t explain it. It’s like when he smiles at me, he’s sharing a part of himself he doesn’t share with anyone else
• He shows up when I don’t think I’m going to have to interact with anyone, when I’ve finally let my guard down. Maybe that’s the real reason I slip with him. He’s so genuine that it’s impossible not to let him through the safety barriers I try to keep in place.
• I’m surprised to find I *want* to hear his problems. Usually, the thought of adding other people’s troubles to my own has me running in terror. But things with Ethan are different.
• I also love that when we’re running, neither of us feels the need to talk. It’s just sunshine, birdsong, and feet on the ground.
• Sometimes, I’m really not sure whether I want to hug or strangle Mariana Salvadore. Maybe both.
• I’ve missed several of the meteors. I’ve never felt like I wanted to experience everything at once, like I’d miss out if I focused too hard on either Ethan or the meteor shower. It’s kind of unfair that the two vie for my attention. Maybe I need to immortalize Ethan in the stars, and then I can watch them both at once.
• And for the first time, maybe ever, I’m struck by the fact that I don’t feel the need to say anything. This is just…perfect as it is.
• What is it about this boy? Why doesn’t he want to let go? Why does he keep showing up again, even when I slip, even when I make a point to avoid him?
• “I know. It’s dumb. That’s why I texted. It’s not phone-call-worthy.” | “It’s always worth talking to you.” There’s a soft honesty in his voice.
• “PJ, you’re the most incredible girl I’ve ever met. You’re funny and athletic and smart and gorgeous inside and out and…and…not a day goes by where I’m not glad to know you, where I’m not happy to have spent even a short time as your lucky boyfriend. Because that time was the best time of my life, the first time where I felt like someone understood me, like someone else got it, you know? You’re that someone. If you’d…succeeded in ending your life, I’d still be wandering around, feeling alone and wondering if anyone in the world was worth connecting with because you are, PJ. A thousand times over, you are worth it.”
• Happy beginnings are a great place to start. They might even be better than happy endings.
══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank L. Ryan Storms for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
January 20, 2025
SLIP is my favorite kind of YA romance novel for three reasons:
1) The protagonist, PJ, is a fully fleshed out character with goals, desires, relationships, and worries that still exist outside of her love interest. Yes, this is a romance (squeee!), but it's not JUST a romance. SLIP is about a relatable teenage girl who is struggling with a very real anxiety problem and the loneliness that comes from feeling like no one understands what you're going through. We see how PJ's anxiety affects her relationship with Ethan, yes, but also with her best friend and her mother. Each of these relationships feels authentic and every character plays a pivotal role in who PJ is and how she manages from day to day. I love that.
2) Magical. Realism. Is. THE BEST! I love seeing an author like Storms (known for her excellent fantasy novels THE TARROWBURN PROPHECIES and TEMPER THE DARK) take a real-life issue and add a fantasy element that makes it somehow even more relatable. The average person probably has a hard time understanding what it feels like to experience an actual panic attack. But adding in the magical realism of a panic attack that SENDS YOU BACK IN TIME (by 9 minutes and 53 seconds - LOVE the detail!) gives the reader a much stronger sense of WHY THIS WOULD BE FREAKING AWFUL. If I, as a teenager, had panic attacks during math class and those attacks kept making math class longer and longer AND LONGER I would want to die. I love magical realism in general, but the specific example Storms uses in her book enhances the story in brilliant and unexpected ways.
3) Yes, I am still here FOR THE ROMANCE!! Ethan T. Morrow is about as wonderful as a teenage boy can be without sacrificing realism on the altar of romantic fantasy. He's kind, supportive, and thoughtful, but he doesn't need to "save" PJ. He's simply there for her, and gives her the space she needs to figure out for herself if this relationship is worth the risks it entails. PJ's relationship with Ethan doesn't make her "better" or fix her anxiety problem. Instead, Ethan is a constant in her life. Someone who, no matter how hard she pushes him away, will be there if she ever needs him. He doesn't lurk around waiting for her (that would be creepy) or get mad when she breaks up with him. He always respects what PJ wants. He feels hurt and confusion like a normal teenager, but he never takes it out on PJ or blames her for what she's going through or how she feels. I recently watched a teen movie where the guy makes an absolutely FOOL of the girl he's in love with so that she looks stupid in front of a boy she likes. And I'm supposed to want that girl to end up with that guy?! Heck no!! (But of course she does; ugh.) Ethan is the exact opposite of that toxic trope. No matter what he wants, the thing he wants most is for PJ to be happy. THAT is a romantic ideal worth pursuing. Also...tingly sensations when they kiss, yes please!
I loved reading SLIP and I know that other fans of YA romance (and YA fiction in general) will fall in love with this moving, relatable story.
Thank you to L. Ryan Storms for sending me this beautiful ARC!
1) The protagonist, PJ, is a fully fleshed out character with goals, desires, relationships, and worries that still exist outside of her love interest. Yes, this is a romance (squeee!), but it's not JUST a romance. SLIP is about a relatable teenage girl who is struggling with a very real anxiety problem and the loneliness that comes from feeling like no one understands what you're going through. We see how PJ's anxiety affects her relationship with Ethan, yes, but also with her best friend and her mother. Each of these relationships feels authentic and every character plays a pivotal role in who PJ is and how she manages from day to day. I love that.
2) Magical. Realism. Is. THE BEST! I love seeing an author like Storms (known for her excellent fantasy novels THE TARROWBURN PROPHECIES and TEMPER THE DARK) take a real-life issue and add a fantasy element that makes it somehow even more relatable. The average person probably has a hard time understanding what it feels like to experience an actual panic attack. But adding in the magical realism of a panic attack that SENDS YOU BACK IN TIME (by 9 minutes and 53 seconds - LOVE the detail!) gives the reader a much stronger sense of WHY THIS WOULD BE FREAKING AWFUL. If I, as a teenager, had panic attacks during math class and those attacks kept making math class longer and longer AND LONGER I would want to die. I love magical realism in general, but the specific example Storms uses in her book enhances the story in brilliant and unexpected ways.
3) Yes, I am still here FOR THE ROMANCE!! Ethan T. Morrow is about as wonderful as a teenage boy can be without sacrificing realism on the altar of romantic fantasy. He's kind, supportive, and thoughtful, but he doesn't need to "save" PJ. He's simply there for her, and gives her the space she needs to figure out for herself if this relationship is worth the risks it entails. PJ's relationship with Ethan doesn't make her "better" or fix her anxiety problem. Instead, Ethan is a constant in her life. Someone who, no matter how hard she pushes him away, will be there if she ever needs him. He doesn't lurk around waiting for her (that would be creepy) or get mad when she breaks up with him. He always respects what PJ wants. He feels hurt and confusion like a normal teenager, but he never takes it out on PJ or blames her for what she's going through or how she feels. I recently watched a teen movie where the guy makes an absolutely FOOL of the girl he's in love with so that she looks stupid in front of a boy she likes. And I'm supposed to want that girl to end up with that guy?! Heck no!! (But of course she does; ugh.) Ethan is the exact opposite of that toxic trope. No matter what he wants, the thing he wants most is for PJ to be happy. THAT is a romantic ideal worth pursuing. Also...tingly sensations when they kiss, yes please!
I loved reading SLIP and I know that other fans of YA romance (and YA fiction in general) will fall in love with this moving, relatable story.
Thank you to L. Ryan Storms for sending me this beautiful ARC!
January 2, 2025
Slip was such a fun and relatable read! As someone with anxiety I felt so seen and connected to the main character. Storms did such an incredible job with the story that I found myself flying through this one in no time. Absolutely recommend!
January 7, 2025
I am incredibly grateful to L. Ryan Storms for the opportunity to read and review Slip. Being selected to explore this captivating story before its official release has been such a treat, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts on it with all of you. A huge thank you to L. Ryan Storms for their generosity and for making this advanced reading experience possible.
I need to start this by saying that L. Ryan Storms is SO LOVELY! We chatted for a short while before she sent the book over to me and I just love her already.
9 minutes and 53 seconds isn’t enough time to change the world. It’s not even enough time to finish a biology exam.
But 16-year-old junior, PJ “Slip” Ellis, gets to repeat the most anxiety-inducing parts of her life again and again. Because her panic attacks send her 9 minutes and 53 seconds into the past, which means she’ll do whatever she can to avoid triggering her nerves. And she’s learned to deal with her anxiety… mostly.
At least, until Ethan Morrow appears in class. Now, PJ is falling for Ethan, and her anxiety—once under control—is quickly spiraling out of hand. So, PJ’s determined to avoid Ethan with every slip.
If only the solution were so easy. Ethan appears in PJ’s life no matter what path she takes, no matter how many times she slips. Is it fate? Kismet? Organized chaos? One way or another, PJ must make peace with herself if she ever wants a shot at true happiness with—or without—Ethan Morrow in her life.
MY. HEART. CANNOT. COPE.
Slip is nothing short of magnificent! Wow. I am actually at a loss for words.
Is it too soon to say that this might end up being my top book from 2025?
It is simply and truly unputdownable. I devoured this in pretty much a day. I would’ve managed it but alas, I had to work.
L. Ryan Storms you are nothing short of a genius. This book gave me ALL the feels. It is so beautiful written and so tactful when it comes to creating a story centred around a mental illness.
What a phenomenal read. I need everyone to go and preorder this now. If you like young adult novels, you need to read this.
Even after finishing it I can still feel this story squeezing my heart. This book will stay with me for a very long time, if not forever.
If I could give it six stars, I would. I can’t wait to check out more from this author. I happen to be in luck because she has like five other books that I can read. 2025 was supposed to be my years to get my TBR down but here I am adding to it. Oh well! I’m sure it’ll be worth it.
JUST WOW! AHHHHHH! I am obsessed.
I need to start this by saying that L. Ryan Storms is SO LOVELY! We chatted for a short while before she sent the book over to me and I just love her already.
9 minutes and 53 seconds isn’t enough time to change the world. It’s not even enough time to finish a biology exam.
But 16-year-old junior, PJ “Slip” Ellis, gets to repeat the most anxiety-inducing parts of her life again and again. Because her panic attacks send her 9 minutes and 53 seconds into the past, which means she’ll do whatever she can to avoid triggering her nerves. And she’s learned to deal with her anxiety… mostly.
At least, until Ethan Morrow appears in class. Now, PJ is falling for Ethan, and her anxiety—once under control—is quickly spiraling out of hand. So, PJ’s determined to avoid Ethan with every slip.
If only the solution were so easy. Ethan appears in PJ’s life no matter what path she takes, no matter how many times she slips. Is it fate? Kismet? Organized chaos? One way or another, PJ must make peace with herself if she ever wants a shot at true happiness with—or without—Ethan Morrow in her life.
MY. HEART. CANNOT. COPE.
Slip is nothing short of magnificent! Wow. I am actually at a loss for words.
Is it too soon to say that this might end up being my top book from 2025?
It is simply and truly unputdownable. I devoured this in pretty much a day. I would’ve managed it but alas, I had to work.
L. Ryan Storms you are nothing short of a genius. This book gave me ALL the feels. It is so beautiful written and so tactful when it comes to creating a story centred around a mental illness.
What a phenomenal read. I need everyone to go and preorder this now. If you like young adult novels, you need to read this.
Even after finishing it I can still feel this story squeezing my heart. This book will stay with me for a very long time, if not forever.
If I could give it six stars, I would. I can’t wait to check out more from this author. I happen to be in luck because she has like five other books that I can read. 2025 was supposed to be my years to get my TBR down but here I am adding to it. Oh well! I’m sure it’ll be worth it.
JUST WOW! AHHHHHH! I am obsessed.
January 14, 2025
Wow. Just. Wow.
When I committed to reading my first ARC, I had one wish: I hope it doesn't suck.
I needn't have worried.
L. Ryan Storms crafts a beautiful YA narrative of teen life, first love, and anxiety. I was most struck by the voice of PJ - it was effortless to slip (pun intended) into her world. The characters, their relationships, and their interactions were so honest and satisfying. And as a fellow anxiety-ridden adult (who was once an anxiety-ridden teenager), so much of this book was just so damn relatable.
I loved the self-awareness all of the characters possessed and the healthy relationships that were modeled. I loved the support systems, understanding, and lack of judgment. And I loved rooting for every single one of these characters.
The only thing I still wanted from Slip after closing the cover was a little more about the side effect of PJ's anxiety. The part of my brain that enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi was desperate to dive deeper into the meaning, reasons, and psychology behind it all. But honestly, the book is structured in such a way that it isn't needed. And the flow is much smoother without being bogged down by extraneous backstory.
I'm so excited for more people to read Slip. Get your copy this April, 2025.
And thank you to L. Ryan Storms for the opportunity to read this in advance, in exchange for my honest review.
4.5 stars
When I committed to reading my first ARC, I had one wish: I hope it doesn't suck.
I needn't have worried.
L. Ryan Storms crafts a beautiful YA narrative of teen life, first love, and anxiety. I was most struck by the voice of PJ - it was effortless to slip (pun intended) into her world. The characters, their relationships, and their interactions were so honest and satisfying. And as a fellow anxiety-ridden adult (who was once an anxiety-ridden teenager), so much of this book was just so damn relatable.
I loved the self-awareness all of the characters possessed and the healthy relationships that were modeled. I loved the support systems, understanding, and lack of judgment. And I loved rooting for every single one of these characters.
The only thing I still wanted from Slip after closing the cover was a little more about the side effect of PJ's anxiety. The part of my brain that enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi was desperate to dive deeper into the meaning, reasons, and psychology behind it all. But honestly, the book is structured in such a way that it isn't needed. And the flow is much smoother without being bogged down by extraneous backstory.
I'm so excited for more people to read Slip. Get your copy this April, 2025.
And thank you to L. Ryan Storms for the opportunity to read this in advance, in exchange for my honest review.
4.5 stars
March 9, 2025
I haven’t reviewed a book in a while - hold please while I dust myself off…
First off - this book brought me out of a reading slump that has lasted about 2 years. Sure I’ve read books over these years (not many 😢) but it wasn’t until Slip that I found myself slipping (pun intended) back into what it is to read a book and just fall into a story, its characters, and their lives. There was just SO MUCH TO LOVE! A bit of quirky easy magical realism, fantastic characters, great friendship, family, anxiety, panic attacks, and so much more. Only a few chapters in, I found myself wanting to reach for the pages to see how this was all going to play out. For that alone, I thank you Mrs Storms!
This is one of the most realistic YA’s I’ve read - it was SO refreshing!! I’m used to reading books where, as soon as the romantic interest comes into the picture, everything else falls behind. Not with Slip. PJ never once forgets about her friends, her family, her future, her homework… nothing really changes! Instead of going all boy crazy, the relationship remains a “side quest” of sorts and we still see her life as a whole, and how all of these moving parts come together. I also appreciated that this wasn’t necessarily plot heavy - no ticking clock, no plot twists thrown in for the sake of excitement that weren’t really necessary. We just see a girl navigating life, and all the emotions and decisions that come along with it.
Speaking of emotions - the anxiety rep in this book was EVERYTHING. As someone who’s dealt with anxiety her whole life, I loved seeing an anxious teenager on the page. My friends and family never really understood my anxiety and, truthfully, I didn’t understand it myself until I was in my 20’s. I would have loved to have come across this book in my teenage years! It could have taught me that I’m not alone - that other people in the world felt the way I did, and struggled with their own thoughts, fears, and emotions. Most importantly that if you talk about things instead of shoving it down, and if you surround yourself with the right people, you can make it through anything.
The friendship between Mariana and PJ was just so good!! They were peanut butter and jelly - the perfect compliment while also being amazing all on their own. They always let each other figure things out and go with their heart, and they would support the other no matter what they chose to do. They also knew exactly when to push and when to pull. Most of all, they always knew what the other one needed…. Even if they didn’t know it themselves. THAT is a true friendship.
Now Ethan…. With every chapter, I fell more in love with this cinnamon roll of a character!! He is just such a good human! I know that’s a weird compliment but it’s true. He’s so genuine, caring, and thoughtful. He was dealing with some anxiety himself and I loved seeing the male perspective of it. Men are often told to be strong, that showing emotion is weak, and that talking about things makes them less of a man.
If you’re worried about the magical realism element, I can assure you, that you shouldn’t be! Not gunna lie, magical realism has never been my forte. I sometimes struggle to just accept this weird thing that shouldn’t make sense and end up focusing on all the unanswered questions that come along with it. The time travel element was so well done and such a small component to the story in the end.
I always look forward to anything written by this author! I read a review that called her a “natural storyteller” and I couldn’t agree more!
First off - this book brought me out of a reading slump that has lasted about 2 years. Sure I’ve read books over these years (not many 😢) but it wasn’t until Slip that I found myself slipping (pun intended) back into what it is to read a book and just fall into a story, its characters, and their lives. There was just SO MUCH TO LOVE! A bit of quirky easy magical realism, fantastic characters, great friendship, family, anxiety, panic attacks, and so much more. Only a few chapters in, I found myself wanting to reach for the pages to see how this was all going to play out. For that alone, I thank you Mrs Storms!
This is one of the most realistic YA’s I’ve read - it was SO refreshing!! I’m used to reading books where, as soon as the romantic interest comes into the picture, everything else falls behind. Not with Slip. PJ never once forgets about her friends, her family, her future, her homework… nothing really changes! Instead of going all boy crazy, the relationship remains a “side quest” of sorts and we still see her life as a whole, and how all of these moving parts come together. I also appreciated that this wasn’t necessarily plot heavy - no ticking clock, no plot twists thrown in for the sake of excitement that weren’t really necessary. We just see a girl navigating life, and all the emotions and decisions that come along with it.
Speaking of emotions - the anxiety rep in this book was EVERYTHING. As someone who’s dealt with anxiety her whole life, I loved seeing an anxious teenager on the page. My friends and family never really understood my anxiety and, truthfully, I didn’t understand it myself until I was in my 20’s. I would have loved to have come across this book in my teenage years! It could have taught me that I’m not alone - that other people in the world felt the way I did, and struggled with their own thoughts, fears, and emotions. Most importantly that if you talk about things instead of shoving it down, and if you surround yourself with the right people, you can make it through anything.
The friendship between Mariana and PJ was just so good!! They were peanut butter and jelly - the perfect compliment while also being amazing all on their own. They always let each other figure things out and go with their heart, and they would support the other no matter what they chose to do. They also knew exactly when to push and when to pull. Most of all, they always knew what the other one needed…. Even if they didn’t know it themselves. THAT is a true friendship.
Now Ethan…. With every chapter, I fell more in love with this cinnamon roll of a character!! He is just such a good human! I know that’s a weird compliment but it’s true. He’s so genuine, caring, and thoughtful. He was dealing with some anxiety himself and I loved seeing the male perspective of it. Men are often told to be strong, that showing emotion is weak, and that talking about things makes them less of a man.
If you’re worried about the magical realism element, I can assure you, that you shouldn’t be! Not gunna lie, magical realism has never been my forte. I sometimes struggle to just accept this weird thing that shouldn’t make sense and end up focusing on all the unanswered questions that come along with it. The time travel element was so well done and such a small component to the story in the end.
I always look forward to anything written by this author! I read a review that called her a “natural storyteller” and I couldn’t agree more!
January 2, 2025
Wow! This is probably my favorite of Storms' books so far and it captures some really relatable aspects of being a teenager in high school (without being too immature or childish). You really root for the main character as she struggles living with her panic attacks, which do much more than just interrupt her life.
PJ's story unfolds with her being forced to learn how to cope with this very strange something she never asked for and can't control, which touches upon the nuance of some serious, relevant real-life human topics we need to highlight and face together. Her story offers an intriguing what-if tale of the importance of friendship, support, facing truths to aim for deeper self-acceptance, and personal growth on the backdrop of arguably one of the most tumultuous times in our development.
PJ's story unfolds with her being forced to learn how to cope with this very strange something she never asked for and can't control, which touches upon the nuance of some serious, relevant real-life human topics we need to highlight and face together. Her story offers an intriguing what-if tale of the importance of friendship, support, facing truths to aim for deeper self-acceptance, and personal growth on the backdrop of arguably one of the most tumultuous times in our development.
January 21, 2025
I received an ARC of this book (which officially comes out in April) — in my opinion, Slip is a cross between “Turtles All the Way Down” and “What Not To Do When You Turn Invisible” and I loved it so much. PJ has anxiety and, as it turns out, a superpower to go back in time. Although this doesn’t feel like a superpower to her because her time traveling only happens when she’s reached the height of a panic attack (and whether you have anxiety or not, you know that panic attacks are not an enjoyable experience). Watching PJ deal with this alongside the many other problems of young adulthood - boys, a mom who works all the time, school, etc. - makes you want to reach through the pages and give her a hug.
January 25, 2025
4.5 stars
I received an ARC of this book, and I’m so thrilled to be able to read and share about this lovely story.
Slip is a great YA novel with everything I love - magical realism, a MC you understand and cheer for, a best friend you can’t help but love, and a golden retriever love interest. I was rooting for this couple from the moment Ethan showed up on page.
The family support systems were so wonderful to read, and I was so sad for PJ that she couldn’t share her slipping situation with her mom.
As I’m sure every anxious person reading this novel will feel, I truly felt seen and understood. I am lucky enough to not experience panic attacks with the frequency that PJ does, and maybe that’s why I did find one or two of the slipping situations to be a tad unbelievable. But overall, it felt very real and understandable each time PJ’s anxiety manifested in a slip.
I think there’s an aspect of the slip that was touched on but could have been expanded - specifically, the ability to redo mistakes or help people. For example, when PJ rescues the little girl, I thought we may have been headed in that kind of direction, but it didn’t really come up again. It’s not bad that it didn’t go that way, but it just felt like a missed opportunity to do something interesting with the setup. On the other hand, I can see that maybe the author didn’t want to paint anxiety and panic attacks as a “good thing” that people need to “look on the bright side” about.
The stargazing scene will live with me forever and ever.
Overall, I really loved this book, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
I received an ARC of this book, and I’m so thrilled to be able to read and share about this lovely story.
Slip is a great YA novel with everything I love - magical realism, a MC you understand and cheer for, a best friend you can’t help but love, and a golden retriever love interest. I was rooting for this couple from the moment Ethan showed up on page.
The family support systems were so wonderful to read, and I was so sad for PJ that she couldn’t share her slipping situation with her mom.
As I’m sure every anxious person reading this novel will feel, I truly felt seen and understood. I am lucky enough to not experience panic attacks with the frequency that PJ does, and maybe that’s why I did find one or two of the slipping situations to be a tad unbelievable. But overall, it felt very real and understandable each time PJ’s anxiety manifested in a slip.
I think there’s an aspect of the slip that was touched on but could have been expanded - specifically, the ability to redo mistakes or help people. For example, when PJ rescues the little girl, I thought we may have been headed in that kind of direction, but it didn’t really come up again. It’s not bad that it didn’t go that way, but it just felt like a missed opportunity to do something interesting with the setup. On the other hand, I can see that maybe the author didn’t want to paint anxiety and panic attacks as a “good thing” that people need to “look on the bright side” about.
The stargazing scene will live with me forever and ever.
Overall, I really loved this book, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
April 3, 2025
Slip adds to the ever-growing selection of thought-provoking YA fantasy (more magical realism) reads tackling issues about mental health in teenagers. As I’ve dropped off the B5 YA market quite a bit because the content does not match the market at all, I may be a bit out of the loop as to its offering. I do know the indie side of the bookshelf has been hitting on most cylinders in terms of showing healthy relationships and ways teens can deal with things such as anxiety, as PJ tackles in Slip. Storms manages to avoid making the kids sound like they’re from Dawson’s Creek while simultaneously giving them a degree of immaturity that feels genuine. The time slips give a bit of a SciFI edge to the story that pulled me in and kept me walking with PJ to see how she’d come out of this one. I recommend this one for readers who like YA without explicit content (there is some language, though) but still want an authentic feel.
My thanks to the author for the DRC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.
See the full review on my blog:
Blog / Instagram / BookBub
My thanks to the author for the DRC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.
See the full review on my blog:
Blog / Instagram / BookBub
April 16, 2025
“Ethan gives a crooked grin, the kind of grin boys in YA novels are always giving, the kind of dimple-evoking grin that makes the main character’s heart flutter a little.
But my heart isn’t fluttering because of Ethan’s smile. It’s just the adrenaline.”
Slip is a brilliant and original YA romance with supernatural elements.
this is such a beautifully written book. i found myself immediately immersed in PJ’s story, the first person narrative and her thoughts instantly giving me a good sense of her character and wanting to follow her story. i’ve always been a fan of time travel, but slipping back in time whenever you have a panic attack is clearly not fun. it is a great and original plot for a novel though!
the book portrays anxiety and panic attacks accurately and it’s very well handled. the time travel, which could easily be confusing in another writer’s hands, is brilliantly executed. the characters are great and well written. it also captures the contemporary american high school and explores the value of different relationships, mental illness, and feelings of fear and isolation.
i loved this book, i read it in just one day, the flowing narration making it impossible to put the book down. highly recommend.
But my heart isn’t fluttering because of Ethan’s smile. It’s just the adrenaline.”
Slip is a brilliant and original YA romance with supernatural elements.
this is such a beautifully written book. i found myself immediately immersed in PJ’s story, the first person narrative and her thoughts instantly giving me a good sense of her character and wanting to follow her story. i’ve always been a fan of time travel, but slipping back in time whenever you have a panic attack is clearly not fun. it is a great and original plot for a novel though!
the book portrays anxiety and panic attacks accurately and it’s very well handled. the time travel, which could easily be confusing in another writer’s hands, is brilliantly executed. the characters are great and well written. it also captures the contemporary american high school and explores the value of different relationships, mental illness, and feelings of fear and isolation.
i loved this book, i read it in just one day, the flowing narration making it impossible to put the book down. highly recommend.
January 18, 2025
This was a fun read about teenagers, friendships, and even a sweet romance. What I found most interesting was how the author tackled the struggles of living with anxiety and panic attacks.
The use of magical realism worked perfectly here. I loved how P.J., the sixteen-year-old FMC, slipped back in time 9 minutes and 53 seconds every time she had a panic attack. I’m not sure if the author intended this, but I related to the story because when I suffered from panic attacks in college, I felt like I was out of place or losing time as others kept on going around me.
For P.J., she has a great friend and a wonderful relationship with her mom. But it’s when a boy enters the picture some strange, or even stranger, things start happening. It also gives this that signature YA romance feel.
This book has a younger feel than some of the high school-centered YA books I’ve read, but it is fun, sweet, magical, and important, as it openly discusses mental health and well-being.
And look at the stunning cover!
Thank you author @lryan_storms for the gifted ARC ebook.
December 28, 2024
This was one of my favorite books from L. Ryan Storms to date (and kudos to the artist - the cover is so amazing!). Many people suffer from anxiety (myself included), and I expect they, too, will appreciate this book, to know that they are seen and heard and their feelings validated. Though this book is fiction, others will resonate with PJ's plights.
Imagine that with every panic attack you get sent back roughly ten minutes in time, over and over. Is that enough time to go back and fix something? Change something? Impact your new future? Or are you on some weird Groundhog day repeat until just the right thing gets fixed to pull you from the hamster wheel? Talk about more anxiety inducing. And what if, no matter how many times you slip back, your soulmate is still there, no matter what has changed. And that person...can just...understand you. That's PJ's story when Ethan comes along.
A great story all around. I highly recommend it.
Imagine that with every panic attack you get sent back roughly ten minutes in time, over and over. Is that enough time to go back and fix something? Change something? Impact your new future? Or are you on some weird Groundhog day repeat until just the right thing gets fixed to pull you from the hamster wheel? Talk about more anxiety inducing. And what if, no matter how many times you slip back, your soulmate is still there, no matter what has changed. And that person...can just...understand you. That's PJ's story when Ethan comes along.
A great story all around. I highly recommend it.
January 8, 2025
This book delivered a captivating and emotional journey that had me hooked from start to finish. The way the protagonist navigates her anxiety—especially with the extraordinary twist of it sending her back in time—was both unique and compelling. If that were me and my anxiety, I’d probably end up in the Jurassic era in no time!
As far as time travel stories go, this one stands out as refreshingly original. The concept was executed beautifully, blending heartfelt moments, a touch of light romance, and the usual high school challenges you’d expect in a YA novel. It all came together to create a deeply engaging and relatable read.
With its gorgeous cover, well-developed characters, and meaningful story, this book was an absolute delight. I’m so grateful to have had the chance to experience it!
As far as time travel stories go, this one stands out as refreshingly original. The concept was executed beautifully, blending heartfelt moments, a touch of light romance, and the usual high school challenges you’d expect in a YA novel. It all came together to create a deeply engaging and relatable read.
With its gorgeous cover, well-developed characters, and meaningful story, this book was an absolute delight. I’m so grateful to have had the chance to experience it!
April 25, 2025
“Reader, I have no idea how old I am.”
This was such an interesting concept. Poor PJ… I couldn't imagine how difficult her situation would be. Slipping 9 minutes and 53 seconds back in time every time you have a panic attack would be so hard to come to grips with. It's understandable that she has trust issues, and finds it difficult to get close to anyone. I'm glad she had her bestie Mariana in her corner to help her through some of it.
This book was thought provoking and so interesting. I thought it was a great story and loved watching PJ and Mariana's friendship, and PJ’s relationship with Ethan blossom and the way she navigated the potential issues with letting someone in.
Definitely enjoyable with deeper meaning. Thank you L. Ryan Storms for giving me the opportunity to read and review!
This was such an interesting concept. Poor PJ… I couldn't imagine how difficult her situation would be. Slipping 9 minutes and 53 seconds back in time every time you have a panic attack would be so hard to come to grips with. It's understandable that she has trust issues, and finds it difficult to get close to anyone. I'm glad she had her bestie Mariana in her corner to help her through some of it.
This book was thought provoking and so interesting. I thought it was a great story and loved watching PJ and Mariana's friendship, and PJ’s relationship with Ethan blossom and the way she navigated the potential issues with letting someone in.
Definitely enjoyable with deeper meaning. Thank you L. Ryan Storms for giving me the opportunity to read and review!
January 21, 2025
This book is very relevant at a time when so many people, especially teens, deal with anxiety. That alone is enough to fill a YA novel, but throw in anxiety induced time travel and a public rescue putting a spotlight on PJ and there just may be more than she can deal with. Writer Storms gives each character a distinct personality and still lets them share enough for believable friendships to exist. Main character PJ has support from her best friend, whose disbelief in the effects of PJ’s anxiety must be dealt with before she can provide much help. How this teen deals with all the various components of her life while trying not to time travel is a testament to the resiliency of young women. I highly recommend this book for all teens and anyone else who likes a good story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2025
PJ “Slip” is into not slipping, like being just OK is the goal. To not regress into 9 minutes and 53 seconds of pure panic attacks is hard. And she’s not into adorable, But when a cute guy is adorable and more, “a girl can hope.” A nod, a chat, running together, and more, if she doesn’t slip. And if she can acknowledge her fluttering and worrisome thoughts. As if a torturous high school life for any teen couldn’t get any worse. But with the help of her bestie, a steady mom in the background, and an understanding boyfriend, Slip navigates her own path without thinking she could ever do so. L. Ryan Storms has written a compelling story of one girl’s young, anxious love with mastery and compassion.
August 23, 2025
Another wonderfully imaginative and beautifully written novel by L. Ryan Storms. The combination of realism and magical realism isn’t always easy to pull off; it usually requires some suspension of disbelief on the reader’s part. But PJ’s “slips” in the hands of the author become as normal as can be; I never once questioned that this form of time travel could actually happen. The characters are well-developed, and PJ’s bouts of debilitating anxiety are so realistically portrayed that you know L. Ryan Storms knows what she’s talking about. I rooted sooo hard for PJ and Ethan, and since I don’t want to spoil the ending I won’t say anymore. But if you love YA, magical realism, a bit of time travel, and a teen trying so hard to find a way let herself love, this book is for you.
January 7, 2026
I genuinely enjoyed the journey this book took me on! PJ and Ethan are the most adorable couple. This book threw me right back into my 16 year old self and how boy crazy and anxious I used to be. I also adore PJ and Mariana’s friendship. It’s one of those chosen family moments. For PJ even having one friend to confide in helps tremendously and Mari takes her job extremely seriously. You can tell she loves Ethan and wants them to be together but when PJ needs her space she’ll always choose her friend. I’m so happy with the realism of the setting in this book as well! Being a PA native it’s nice to see our state represented! Overall this book was engaging and gave me those kick your feet emotions that we all crave once in a while!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2024
I wrote this book to help anxious people feel better about themselves...because at least YOU don't slip back in time when you panic.
PJ is my poor, anxious train wreck. If she can learn to deal with her anxiety, so can you. I believe.
PJ is my poor, anxious train wreck. If she can learn to deal with her anxiety, so can you. I believe.
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